Heading into the All-Star Break, Davis Martin was feeling exhausted. Already reaching 100 innings in 2026, Martin was the starting pitcher who needed the extra days off. But on Saturday he made a case for joining his teammates in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game festivities. In front of a sold out Rogers Centre, Martin put together a good outing in which he only allowed one run and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Familiar nemesis Shane Bieber got the start for Toronto. Making his 19th career start against the White Sox, Bieber entered the game with a 2.93 ERA and an 8-5 win-loss record all-time against the South Siders. Even though he’s had a tough 2026 season, something about facing hitters wearing White Sox uniforms brings the best out of Bieber.
Sure enough, despite having the leadoff hitter reach on base in every inning from the fourth to eighth, the Sox offense couldn't capitalize. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position en route to a frustrating 1-0 loss.
Both teams were locked in a pitcher's duel early. Miguel Vargas hit a double in the first inning, but was left stranded. In the fourth, Munetaka Murakami just missed hitting an oppo taco but settled for a leadoff double. Despite Colson Montgomery walking, both runners were once again left stranded.
In the bottom half, Toronto had better luck. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just missed hitting a home run to center field but settled for a double. Next was veteran George Springer, who hit a slow roller that sneaked past a diving Montgomery. The seeing-eye single scored Guerrero Jr., and the Blue Jays had a 1-0 lead.
Braden Montgomery made back-to-back leadoff doubles for the White Sox in the fifth inning. After Tristan Peters grounded to first base for a productive out moving Montgomery to third, Chase Meidroth couldn’t put the ball in play as he struck out swinging. Then Sam Antonacci had a good idea of trying to hit the ball to center field, but the Blue Jays' infield was shifted perfectly to escape the jam.
Martin found himself in a tricky situation in the bottom half. With one out, the Blue Jays had runners on first and second and Ernie Clement batting. After getting ahead in the count, Martin got Clement to pop out via the infield fly rule, and Nathan Lukes grounded out to first base to end the threat.
Halfway through the game, Martin and Bieber were still locking horns.
More White Sox offensive frustration came in the sixth inning. Murakami continued the leadoff reaching base streak as he walked, but on the very next pitch, Vargas hit a comebacker to Bieber, who started the 1-6-3 double play. Then, falling behind 3-0, Bieber came back to strike out Montgomery, ending the inning.
Continuing to mirror each other, Martin walked Guerrero Jr. to start his sixth inning. But he hunkered down to strike out Springer and Kazuma Okamoto. At pitch 85, and with left-handed hitting Dalton Varsho stepping into the batter’s box, manager Will Venable decided that was enough for Martin. Sean Newcomb entered the game, and things got dicey. Trying to beat Varsho on a fastball, Newcomb got burned for a double, putting runners in scoring position. With Alejandro Kirk next, White Sox decided to intentionally walk him, loading the bases. But Newcomb pulled through as he got Giménez to ground out and end the threat.
Both Martin's and Bieber’s days were over after six innings, and they were very good.
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Martin | 5.2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Shane Bieber | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
White Sox made it five consecutive innings of the leadoff hitter reaching base in the eighth inning. Meidroth started it off with a bunt single and was replaced by pinch runner Luiangel Acuña. With Antonacci batting against tough right-handed submariner Tyler Rogers, Acuña attempted to swipe second base. A strong throw from Kirk that sailed to the second base side was in time for Clement to catch and tag Acuña out. Antonacci would strike out, and then Murakami flew out to right field, ending the eighth inning.
Game Notes
- Shane Bieber now has five career scoreless outings against the White Sox
- White Sox offense batted 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position
- Munetaka Murakami went 1-for-3 with a double and walk
- Jordan Hicks pitched a scoreless eighth inning. In his last seven appearances, Hicks hasn’t allowed a run and has a 0.38 WHIP against.
